LIMBANG: The state government respects the stance taken by Brunei in imposing additional procedures on Sarawakians entering the country.
Assistant Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the additional procedures were imposed to ensure the safety and health of Bruneians against the spread of Covid-19 from Malaysia.
“In the past, people did not think much about this Brunei bypass road because the road through Brunei is easier.
“There was also no ‘Entry and Exit Charge’ payment, only a payment of BND3 (MYR9.15) for a bridge that is subject to toll in Brunei.
“The road through Brunei is faster and safer, so there was no problem before but now with Covid-19, Brunei has taken more precautionary measures by imposing various new rules.”
He was speaking at a state-level briefing on current issues organised by Sarawak Information Department here, Saturday (Oct 3).
Following Brunei’s action, he said there were claims that elected representatives had been slacking off and for failing to come up with a road connecting Limbang and Lawas to Miri without having to go through Brunei.
“It is not that the government does not want to build roads, but we must do it according to priorities because the allocations are limited.
“So, the priority for the bypass road was not so high because there is already a road from Limbang to Miri and from Limbang to Lawas —there is already a road through Brunei.”
In a related development, Abdul Rahman, who is also Bukit Kota assemblyman, said that his party had asked the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to assist transporters carrying food supplies and basic necessities brought in from outside of Limbang, either from Sabah or Miri.
“KPDNHEP needs to help these transporters in entering Limbang for those who have to go through Brunei or Temburong district, Brunei.
“I am confident that if there is a collaboration between the state government and the ministry and the transporters, this issue will not affect the food supply, particularly in Limbang district.”
